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Re: Which religion do you follow?

^
It's probably best for you to avoid the 'North American Christianity Forum' (aka, Religion, Spirituality & Philosophy).

It's supposed to be a no-flame zone; in other words, Christians can behave like total cunts towards other religions but post anything too critical of US Christianity and watch your posts disappear as if by magic.

Re: Which religion do you follow?

I am Roman Catholic, born and raised. I still practice the Catholic faith. I have adjusted/filtered some of its teachings in my mind and conscience to match what I now believe, but still believe and practice it in general.

Re: Which religion do you follow?

I think so. Something like a mixture of Buddhism and Japanese Shinto. It sounds a bit complicated and I don't really quite understand when my two friends had a sharing session with me. The other day we went to a Japanese restaurant and we saw A Ryukyuan butsudan inside. They immediately identified to us that they had the same religion. Maybe I will ask them again and try to understand what their belief system is about.

Originally Posted by LeicsDom

That sounds like a rather logical and healthy belief system

Yeah I agree. Early this year when one of them had a birthday party and invited me and a few of my classmates over. His family and his religion friends welcome us with warm arms. Even though we didn't know 99% of the people there, we sure don't feel neglected attending it.

Re: Which religion do you follow?

Originally Posted by Rickrock

I am Roman Catholic, born and raised. I still practice the Catholic faith. I have adjusted/filtered some of its teachings in my mind and conscience to match what I now believe, but still believe and practice it in general.

That's what I've never understood, picking and choosing from a religion. I would have thought it's all or nothing type of "deal".

If you don't want to follow all of it then you might as well just be spiritual and even God-believing without organized religion. If you can't then you must be a part of it because of the culture and social pressure rather than actual faith that the religion is true.

Re: Which religion do you follow?

Originally Posted by HoodedRat

^
It's probably best for you to avoid the 'North American Christianity Forum' (aka, Religion, Spirituality & Philosophy).

It's supposed to be a no-flame zone; in other words, Christians can behave like total cunts towards other religions but post anything too critical of US Christianity and watch your posts disappear as if by magic.

To be fair a whole forum dedicated to religious apologists back patting themselves is not somewhere I would bother to venture

Re: Which religion do you follow?

been an atheist for 10 years now and never turning back. i've felt more liberated mentally than all the years i was brainwashed by catholic school and older people that were trying to put me on to their way of thinking. this works for me fine.

one thing i don't get is how come people feel the need to put down other people's beliefs that are different from their own. i used to do that but nowadays, i stopped because it makes no sense.

one thing about the closet/you don't have to hurry/it will be bad tomorrow/so brother, don't you worry

Re: Which religion do you follow?

one thing i don't get is how come people feel the need to put down other people's beliefs that are different from their own. i used to do that but nowadays, i stopped because it makes no sense.

It makes every sense that you want to show them what a waste of time and energy it is believing in something that not only doesn't exist but causes untold harm. The lives lost to religion over the centuries is more than any disease. Then there is the mental harm that some religions cause to millions of people, both today and in history

Re: Which religion do you follow?

Originally Posted by GiancarloC

No it's not. It's a philosophy. It's not quite a religion. Still making statements with no proof I see?

Religion :

"Religion is a collection of belief systems, cultural systems, and world views that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to explain the origin of life or the Universe. They tend to derive morality, ethics, religious laws or a preferred lifestyle from their ideas about the cosmos and human nature. According to some estimates, there are roughly 4,200 religions in the world."

Re: Which religion do you follow?

I'm an Atheist, but I'm open minded when it comes to spirituality. What people choose to believe is their own business and I really don't mind talking about it so long as they don't try to force it on me.

Re: Which religion do you follow?

Webster definition :

Definition of RELIGION
1
a : the state of a religious <a nun in her 20th year of religion>
b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2
: a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
3
archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness
4
: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

Examples of RELIGION
There are many religions, such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.

Re: Which religion do you follow?

dictionnary.com definition :

religion

re·li·gion
[ri-lij-uh n] Show IPA
noun
1.
a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2.
a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3.
the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4.
the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5.
the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.

Re: Which religion do you follow?

Religion is centered around the worship of a deity or deities. Buddhism isn't like that. Whether it has values is not the point. Confucianism has values too... but it's definitely not a religion.

He said on average. That means an average. He's not talking about individuals. The statement was regarding the overall... and was discussing religious people.

So your definition of religion is entirely based on a worship of a deity. It is a simplified view and does not contain all the possible senses of the word.

What I meant is that he can't just try to argue against religion by saying that religious people are less intelligent on average that non religious one. If the most intelligent man or woman on Earth is a religious one, does it prove anything about religion ? I don't think so.

Re: Which religion do you follow?

Originally Posted by GiancarloC

This is getting ridiculous. I don't think you're grasping what Buddhism quite is... or my contrast to Confucianism. I'm not agreeing with anything you're saying.

My father is a Buddhist by the way
I have had quite a few conversations with Buddhist, I follow the Dalaï Lama on twitter every day, I have seen quite a lot of video of his teachings. I may very well be completely mistaken, but for me it is a form of religion. Not a deist one, but one nonetheless.

Re: Which religion do you follow?

Originally Posted by GiancarloC

Right...

Obviously we aren't going to agree here, so I will have to leave it at that. This thread isn't one for a religious discussion. It was merely a poll. I also don't have the time to engage in a big discussion about whether Buddhism is a religion or not. To me it's a philosophy and will always be one.

Do bear in mind that feudal Japanese murdered each other over which buddhist sect they were in.

It's kinda "become" a philosophy today, and yes, it does definitely lean very philosophical doctrinally speaking... but so does Hinduism, which is definitely a religion too. It's just "practiced less" like a formal religion today than it was in the past.

Re: Which religion do you follow?

Originally Posted by Coward92

Studies implicate that your claim "organized religion is very harmful to man" is false. Studies show that those who are part of an organized religious group are more likely to be balanced and enthusiastic individuals, because they have a sense of belonging.

What a stupid thing to say. Religion is one of the worst things that has ever happened to man. How many wars have been fought over religion? (or rather, have any wars been fought over anything else?) The only thing religious people are more likely to be is brainwashed and bat shit crazy.

Re: Which religion do you follow?

Originally Posted by Coward92

That is a very dangerous prejudice.
Did you have an extensive study or you just say it is stupid without any knowledge?
You are wilfully blind because of your hatred, resentment and/or ignorance. Study and understanding is the only way to form a relevant and cohesice opinion. You lack in both areas.

The worst thing that ever happened to man was impatience and stupidity. The religions of the world actually gave birth to beautiful things. It is quite obvious if you are willing to see. But since you are not, you will remain blind.

I don't need a "study" to tell me something is ridiculous and stupid, like the statement you made. Please, link to this bullshit study you keep talking about? If you want to be ignorant to the fact that religion is a terrible, horrible thing, I guess that's up to you. Has there ever been a terrorist that didn't do what they do in the name of religion?

Re: Which religion do you follow?

I'm surprised Jedi isn't on the list. I was never prouder of my fellow Commonwealth citizens in the UK who all started writing in "Jedi" when filling out their census forms. It became the fastest-growing religion in the UK if memory serves.